Funder’s Forum: Rauch Foundation A conversation with Nancy Rauch Douzinas

The Rauch Foundation, a family foundation based in Long Island, NY, invests in smart and bold ideas and in organizations that spark and sustain systemic change in its communities. The foundation focuses on children and families, the environment, and regional leadership. It takes a comprehensive approach to problem solving, and its activities extend beyond traditional grantmaking to include significant research and communications efforts. The Foundation Center asked Nancy Rauch, its president:

[Question] What strategies have the Rauch Foundation found helpful in pursuing its program areas, and what factors stand out for you in effecting sustainable change?

"Helpful strategies that cut across all of our program areas are investing in: 1) the general support of key organizations and building their leadership, 2) research, and 3) communications. Collaboration with other funders is a key ingredient in effecting sustainable change, as is the development of alliances with organizations in other sectors. To that end, we have started building some very exciting partnerships with the Long Island Association and the Long Island Rail Road, among others, to make a regional impact across Long Island.

"Based on our experience, sustainable change involves some version of changing ideas, such as the campaign against smoking did; and making a real structural change in a system, such as altering the way we pay for child care or education. To achieve both of these things, we must be entrepreneurial in our thinking and actions. We also know that we must focus on cultivating new leaders who will continue the work forward.

"We believe strongly in the importance of using data to tell stories and raise awareness of the need for change, whatever the issue may be. This data helps inform the public debate and also allows us to monitor whether progress is being made.

"In our grantmaking activities, we work with each of our grantees to develop basic and concrete metrics for measuring success. These specific metrics depend on what we are trying to achieve with each grant. Overall, we look at the organization's performance, management, ability to raise additional funds, and the momentum of the program. We have also engaged consultants to help evaluate the impact of a long-term grantee and make recommendations on the best way to forward."

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